then all praise belongs to God; but should I fall, Malikshah shall succeed me as heir.’
His vanguard collided with theirs, the enemy lines broke, and their forward commander was captured. When at last the two armies confronted one another, the Sultan sent to ask for a truce. Armanus retorted: ‘No truce unless you hand over Rayy.’
The Sultan was deeply shaken. His chaplain, Abu Nasr (1), said to him: ‘You are fighting for a faith that God has promised to support and make prevail over every other creed. I trust that God has decreed this victory to be written in your name. Meet them on Friday, at the very hour when the preachers upon the pulpits are praying for the combatants in God’s path.’
He then led the Sultan in prayer. The Sultan wept, the people wept; he supplicated, and they all answered “Amin.” He announced: ‘Whoever wishes to withdraw, let him withdraw—there is no Sultan here to command or forbid.’ He cast aside his bow, drew his sword, grasped his horse’s tail with his own hand, and the soldiers did the same. He donned white garments, perfumed himself with camphor, and said: ‘If I am slain, this shall be my shroud.’
He charged. Once he reached the enemy line he dismounted, rubbed his face in the dust, implored God with many entreaties, remounted, and the Muslims pushed into the centre. They slew the Byzantines as they pleased; victory descended, heads flew, and the King of the Romans was taken captive. Brought before the Sultan, the latter struck him with a mace and said, ‘Did I not ask you for a truce?’
The emperor replied, ‘Do not reproach me—do as you will.’
‘What would you have done had you captured me?’
‘I would have done vile things.’
‘And what do you expect from me?’
‘You will kill me, or parade me through your lands; the third possibility is remote—that you pardon me and take my wealth.’
‘I have resolved on nothing else,’ said the Sultan.
So the emperor ransomed himself for one million five hundred thousand dinars and the release of every Muslim prisoner in his realm. The Sultan lodged him in a pavilion, bestowed a robe of honor on him, sent him ten thousand dinars for his preparations, freed several of his commanders, concluded a fifty-year truce, and escorted him on his way. As for the Byzantine army, they enthroned Michael in his place.
Armanus departed; when news reached him that his throne was gone, he entered a monastery, donned wool, gathered whatever gold he could—about three hundred thousand dinars—sent it off, and offered his apologies.